Recent tragic events in the Saline area have prompted major concerns about the heartbreaking impact of substance abuse on families, and our community as a whole. Too many lives have been cut short - too many families are still reeling from the unnecessary loss of life.

Earlier this year, I felt compelled to make sure that Saline’s city government was an active player against this troubling trend. I was honored to request that Council create the Saline Community Addiction Prevention Task Force, led by two talented Co-Chairs in Saline Police Chief Larry Hrinik and local mental health professional Dr. Smita Nagpal of Still Waters Consulting.

The response from our community has been overwhelming, and quite touching. The people who I represent simply refuse to accept this problem as inevitable, and they want to help. Addiction is devastating to an individual’s life, but it doesn’t stop there; it has a profound impact on that person’s family, friends, and ultimately the community.

The Task Force represents a city-sanctioned effort that includes the voices of every area of our community that is affected: law enforcement, mental health service providers, schools, community groups, churches, parents, etcetera. Our hope is that the work of the Task Force will yield something new, and something that will impact our community in a tangible way.

At this stage, the Task Force is in an information-gathering phase, trying to engage with as many experts and interested parties as we can.

Its purpose is:

1. Engage community residents, so they understand the problem’s prevalence and severity.
2. Ensure greater cohesion among service providers and others in prevention and response.
3. Develop an infrastructure to function in the long-term to combat the problem at all stages.

There are a number of ways that people can be part of this effort. Earlier this month, I announced three issue-specific subcommittees that will support the Task Force in a number of ways:

•Existing Community Resources and Support – will assemble a list of current resources, and work to develop other resources.
•Prevention – will review strategies for preventing substance use and abuse. Grants and Funding – will focus on financial support programs.
•Apply by emailing the Task Force Co-Chairs at sataskforce@cityofsaline.org, indicating subcommittee preference, background, as well as their reasons for interest.

Substance abuse is an issue that truly affects every facet of the community. Everyone knows of a loved one who suffered or experienced a painful loss because of addiction. And, as any statistician would tell you, the stories that make the news represent a trend that is far more widespread – and very troubling. Every life has great value and potential; it is simply inexcusable that a life would be destroyed by substance use.

Brian D. Marl is the current mayor of Saline, Michigan, elected into office in 2012.

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